The AI Sessions: Navigating the European Commission’s AI Act, hosted by F6S on 25 February 25 2025, successfully brought together close to 400 participants from across the European AI ecosystem. The one-day virtual event provided a dynamic platform for startup founders, scale-ups, legal experts, and policymakers to delve into the EU AI Act, its implications for AI startups, and the opportunities it presents for innovation.
Danijel Pavlica, who hosted and moderated the event, highlighted that the AI Act stands as the European Union’s pioneering attempt to comprehensively regulate artificial intelligence, establishing a legal framework for its development, deployment, and use. Moreover, he elaborated that in the heart of the Act lies a risk-based approach, categorising AI systems based on their potential impact on individuals, society, and fundamental rights. The host mentioned that for AI startups, the regulatory landscape could present significant challenges, such as compliance costs, potential innovation slowdowns, and market entry barriers loom large. However, Danijel added that these challenges are balanced by notable opportunities, as startups that embrace compliance can build trust and reputation, positioning themselves as responsible innovators in the eyes of customers, partners, and investors. The Act’s common set of rules simplifies expansion across the European Single Market, opening doors for growth. Moreover, the demand for ethical, safe, and transparent AI solutions creates new business models and service opportunities.
Danijel also mentioned that the EU is not leaving startups to navigate this new terrain alone, and introduced initiatives like GenAI4EU and various accelerator programmes that offer funding and collaboration opportunities, supporting startups in their compliance and innovation journey.
Key Takeaways from the Panel Discussion: Navigating the AI Act
The panel discussion, moderated by Aleksandar Zobec, was a focal point of the event. AI startup founders, legal advisors, and EU policy experts gathered to unpack the complexities of the AI Act and discuss how startups can not only comply with the new regulations but also leverage them to build trust and credibility. Aleksandar was joined by Ruben Roex (Timelex), António Novais (Unbabel), Jozef Balaz (JobMojito), and Alexei Grinbaum (CEA-Saclay).
One of the primary concerns raised was the difficulty in operationalising the AI Act. Panelists emphasised that while the legislation provides a framework, translating its requirements into day-to-day business practices remains a significant challenge for companies, especially startups with limited resources.
An interesting perspective shared was the characterisation of the AI Act as “product legislation.” This framing suggests that AI systems should be viewed as products that need to meet certain safety and quality standards before entering the market, similar to other regulated products. The panel highlighted the complex relationship between the AI Act and other legal instruments, particularly GDPR and cybersecurity laws. For them, this interplay creates a multifaceted regulatory environment that companies must navigate carefully to ensure comprehensive compliance.
An important clarification was made regarding the scope of the AI Act: research activities are excluded from its purview. This exemption provides some flexibility for academic and scientific exploration of AI technologies without the full weight of regulatory compliance. The concept of AI sandboxes was discussed as a potential solution for innovation within a regulated environment. These sandboxes could offer a more permissive regulatory regime, allowing companies to test and develop AI systems under controlled conditions with reduced regulatory burden.
Panelists stressed that many of the AI Act’s requirements align with good engineering practices. They suggested that startups focusing on robust, well-documented, and ethically-designed AI systems would naturally be better positioned for compliance. Lastly, the discussion emphasised the critical need for effective communication between engineers, ethicists, and lawyers within organisations, as this interdisciplinary approach was seen as essential for navigating the technical, ethical, and legal complexities of AI development under the new regulations.
Roundtable: Public Funding for AI Startups – Challenges and Success Stories
The roundtable discussion, led by Tajana Medaković Dautović, focused on the critical role of public funding in the AI ecosystem. Startup founders, researchers and investors shared personal experiences, offering valuable insights into the complexities of navigating EU funding opportunities. The session that was joined by Despina Elisabeth Filippidou (DOTSOFT), Giuseppe Mele (Fasttrack Ventures), and Branka Stojanović (JOANNEUM RESEARCH) shed light on common hurdles and highlighted the importance of EU programmes in fostering AI innovation.
Participants discussed the lengthy and complex process of preparing proposals and securing EU funding. They noted that startups should be prepared for a significant time investment when pursuing these opportunities. A key insight was the value placed on diverse consortia in EU-funded projects. The ideal mix includes startups, mature companies, end-users, and research institutions, as this diversity was seen as crucial for creating well-rounded, impactful projects.
The roundtable highlighted mandatory mentorship as a distinguishing feature of successful EU-funded projects. This structured guidance was seen as particularly beneficial for startups, providing them with expertise and support throughout the project lifecycle. Discussions also emphasised the importance of leveraging both public and private funding sources. Participants suggested that EU funding could serve as a catalyst for attracting private investment, creating a powerful synergy for startup growth and innovation.
There was a strong emphasis on the need for EU-funded projects to demonstrate clear, real-world impact. Startups were advised to focus on practical applications and tangible outcomes when developing their project proposals. Furthermore, the roundtable highlighted the networking value of participating in EU-funded projects. These initiatives were seen as platforms for startups to build relationships with potential partners, customers, and investors across the EU.
Participants encouraged startups to view EU funding and compliance with the AI Act as part of a longer-term strategy. While the immediate focus might be on specific projects or compliance requirements, the broader goal should be positioning the company for sustainable growth in the European market.
A Collaborative Effort That Will Drive Change
What made this event truly unique was the collective effort of 17 EU-funded projects, all working in harmony to support AI startups across Europe. Danijel Pavlica highlighted that these projects play an important role in ensuring that startups can navigate the evolving regulatory landscape while continuing to innovate, and that the event underscored the importance of collaboration in the AI space, driving home the message that, together, we can shape the future of AI in Europe.
For those who missed the live sessions, recording is available on the F6S Innovation YouTube Channel, alongside additional growth opportunities that help AI startups stay ahead of regulatory changes.
Stay tuned for upcoming events organised by the F6S team, and let’s continue to drive conversations at the forefront of AI innovation!
